Senegal midfielder Ilay Camara has expressed his frustration following his team’s 1-1 draw against Sudan in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, describing the result as a personal disappointment.
The Lions of Teranga dominated the match but were unable to convert their superiority into a win, a shortcoming that Camara believes cost them crucial points.
Reflecting on the match, the young midfielder admitted that Senegal lacked the finishing touch needed to secure victory.
“I think we managed the match well, but we weren’t efficient enough. Senegal had more chances than Sudan. So it was a question of efficiency,” Camara stated.
Despite controlling possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities, Senegal was unable to break down a resilient Sudanese defense.
Camara’s assessment highlights a recurring issue in football—dominating a game means little without clinical finishing.
Determined to bounce back against Togo
Camara, who has been gradually establishing himself in the national team setup, did not hide his frustration with the result.
His competitive mindset sees anything less than a win as unacceptable.
“I took it as a defeat. It’s in my mindset to want to win, so we’ll do the job against Togo. Senegal is a country that wants to win every match, and the goal against Togo is the same thing: winning.”
With the World Cup qualification campaign intensifying, the midfielder emphasized the team’s determination to respond strongly in their upcoming fixture.
Senegal, a powerhouse in African football, has set high expectations for itself, and dropping points against Sudan only adds pressure to secure maximum points against Togo.
Praise for teammates and positive squad morale
Despite the disappointment, Camara acknowledged the strong performance of his teammate Antoine Mendy, who impressed during the match.
“Antoine Mendy played very well, we are all proud of him. If I get more minutes, I hope to do the same,” he added.
The atmosphere within the squad remains upbeat, with the players fully focused on bouncing back.
Things are going well, it’s a group and we’re having a lot of fun. We’re going to try to take the three points against Togo.
Senegal will now shift its focus to the upcoming clash against Togo, where they will be eager to return to winning ways and reaffirm their dominance in the qualifiers.
With Camara and his teammates motivated to prove themselves, all eyes will be on how the Lions respond to this minor setback.
